Icebound (Boundless Players, #1)

by Meredith Trapp

“We’re not drunk,” the guy slurs. Yeah, he’s wasted. “Yeah, you’re wasted,” she says, and pride fills me that we had the same thought.

“How’d you know that’s what I should do?” I can practically hear her eyes roll from hundreds of miles away. “Because I know how to type on a computer, and I told you, I do my research.” “You’re researching groin stretches? Shouldn’t you be working on that speech for that art event? Or doing more important things? Like studying?” She hesitates. “Your groin is very important to me.”

“That’s perfect because I always get sucked into watching movies, so you do the research, and I’ll debrief you when it’s over.” “Look at us, we’re the perfect match. I mean, besides the fact that you want to get married, and I want to travel the world.” “Yeah, other than that big hurdle. We’re perfect together,” I grunt.

We talk for hours until my balls are blue and my fingers are wrinkled. She practices her speech with me for The Peaceful Mind Project, and I tell her about the ¡Vamos! sponsorship meeting. We end up talking about everything and nothing and all the things in between.

When I mentioned to Micah that Gwen had a conference in Atlanta that coincided with their away game, he invited me to come, and because I’m the naive college student who apparently likes torturing herself with older men who are all wrong for her, here I am, driving four hours to Atlanta to see Micah in the hopes that I’ll actually see Rhode.

her eye when she asks about Rhode, but I’m pretty sure that’s my imagination.

girl it's not, cut her off!!! i don't like her I feel like she's going to try something with him!!

He plops down onto the foam mattress, shirtless, and spreads out his arms. “Thanks for that, Phil. I owe you one. I didn’t really want to sleep with her, and I was trying to think of excuses and couldn’t. Things just started moving so fast, and I didn’t know how to tell her no, so your timing was great.”

LMAO dude you say no

My eyes widen involuntarily, but Micah peers at me like he’s watching my reaction, so I mask my expression. He waves a hand. “Go ahead and laugh. It’s hilarious. The NHL’s rookie fuckboy is actually a virgin.”

Tremblay’s the only one who could relate, so I talked to the old man—” “Stop calling him that. It’s rude.” “Never. It’s our thing. He calls me kid, and I call him old man.

“Thanks for that, Phil. I needed to talk to someone about all of this, and Tremblay’s always talking about how you’re a great listener.” I perk up. “He talks about me?” “Yeah, all the time. It’s annoying as shit. If I have to hear one more time about your speech, or all the pottery you make, or that fellowship, I’m going to shove my head in a toilet.”

“Yeah, but really, I’m glad you came tonight, Phil. Now, come on. Let’s head out. Tremblay’s gonna flip his shit if he sees us like this.” “He won’t care.” “Trust me. He will. He always—” The door swings open. Rhode strides into the room in a disheveled gray suit with a banana-print lime green tie.

Rhode’s eyes bore into mine like he’s trying to set my body on fire with his stare. “Cruz?” “Yeah, roomie?” He throws his green tie on the floor. “I love you, man, but get out.”

okay. I’m leaving. You don’t have to give me murder eyes, old man. We were just talking.” Cruz backs out of the room. “I’ll snuggle with Patty-Daddy tonight. He actually likes me, unlike you.”

lol

Nina captures everything, and I think she takes something from me too, but I don’t know what.

Let’s not talk about being with other people tonight.” “Good call because the idea of you with another man makes me want to fuck you so hard that you’ll never forget what it feels like when I’m inside you.” I grip her throat, gently tightening my hands. Her eyes flare with need. “For tonight, you’re mine.” “And you’re mine.”

“Don’t go. Stay with me tonight.” I slide off the bed, and the flimsy headboard falls to the mattress. “We can move the mattress and pillows to the floor. Just don’t go yet. Please?” “You want to make a pillow fort with me?” “I’d build you a pillow castle.”

It’s just me and her in our own little kingdom. If only we could stay like this forever. I kiss her temple. “Thank you for coming tonight. No one’s ever surprised me like this before, and it means a lot to me, especially since I know you don’t like being in new places.” “Really? No one?” “You’re the first.” I hold her tighter. “You’re making me break all my rules.”

“I don’t want to change you, Rhode, or hold you back from your future, no matter how much fun we have giving each other orgasms. I know you want to get married, so if you meet someone else, just be honest and tell me if things change. I can’t promise that feelings won’t get involved, but let’s agree to talk.”

“I know I said I don’t want something casual, but how about we do this until you leave? Because I like you, Nina, and I want to spend more time with you.”

Pretty much everyone.” “Well, you don’t,” she says in that passionate voice of hers. “You don’t need to have the perfect family just because everyone says so. If that’s really what you want, amazing. Go for it. But if you’re only doing it because you think that’s what your life should look like, those aren’t the right reasons.”

She doesn’t have blonde hair.” “What, you only date blondes? Since when?”

since you Nina!!!

He releases a tortured groan. “I want to hear about these fantasies later, but you’re going to make me hard at a one-year-old’s birthday party, and then I’m going to get arrested because that’s creepy as fuck. I’m barely keeping it together with your big fine ass on my lap.”

LMAO

“What about her? She looks nice.” “Stop, Nina.” He hooks a finger under my chin and coaxes my head up with his knuckle. “I’m not doing this with you. She doesn’t have a star tattoo on her right shoulder, or a Texas-shaped birthmark, or gold glasses, or freckles I can’t stop staring at, alright? Stop asking me about other women I could date when I’ve got you in my arms. You’re the only one I’m thinking about.”

Anjali chuckles. “Well, that man sure is infatuated with you.” My stomach does a little flip. “What makes you say that?” “Because he can’t stop staring at you. That man looks at you like you’re sparkling under the sun.” “No, he doesn’t.” “Oh, but he does, doll. He never once looked at me like that.”

Yeah, I’m definitely not her dad, man, but she does like to call me daddy in bed sometimes.” “Rhode,” she cuts out, turning to the guy. “He’s joking.” My brows fly up. “Am I? Because no one’s laughing.”

lol

Sure, but maybe we could get coffee after class on Thursday?” “Bold move,” I practically growl. His cheeks turn a little red. Good. Whatever expression he sees on my face has him backtracking. “Or, uh, maybe some other time. I’ll see you in class, Nina.”

I want to be more than the man who gives her orgasms because this girl’s going to stay with me long after she gets on that plane.

“Why?” She blinks again, brows coming together. “Why did you stop?” “Because I’m proving to you that I’m not just the man who gives you orgasms. I’m the man you stay up until midnight talking to, so if you want one, you have to admit that.”

I gulp, handing it over. “Here, I made this for you. I wanted to apologize for what I said at the party. I didn’t mean it. If someone’s making you come, it better be me, and only me, but I want you to think of me as more than a man who gets you off.”

She reaches out and strokes the design like it’s made of glass. “It’s a turtle.” Alright, that’s a good sign. I told Cruz it didn’t look like a rock. “Yeah, but not just any turtle. It’s a snapping turtle.” Her eyes trace the threaded words I sewed into the pattern. “You can snap if you need to, just don’t break on me.” Her voice goes quiet.

If I were a stronger man, I'd call this off, but I'm weak when it comes to her. We only have two months, so I want to spend them together.

I’ve been trying to cover my feelings with jokes or sarcastic comments, but there’s one thing I realized after tossing in bed all night since Rhode wasn’t there—I’m falling hopelessly in love with Rhode Tremblay.

Love is made with little moments, and we have enough to build a castle.

“You realize how many women would kill to be in your position right?” Gwen asks. “I’d give up my career for that man. Let him fund your life.” “Well, he’s not your man, he’s my man.”

All I want is to sleep next to Nina after being scanned and x-rayed. Poked and prodded. But she’s not going to show up when she’s busy studying for finals. No one but my family and teammates ever does.

Lol girl shes going

“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you.” “The only way you’re going to hurt me is by not being in my arms right now.” “Fucking lame,” Cruz coughs under his breath. Patty smacks his face. “Thanks for that,” I say. “Anytime.”

Lmao

“Where’s my hug, Phil?” Cruz says. “Did you even notice I was in the room?” “No, I didn’t,” she mutters into my neck. Cruz snorts.

“Goodbye, Rhode,” she whispers against my lips. “In another life, I think you would’ve been my forever.”

Wyn hops up on my marble counter, smoothing her white golf skirt. “Don’t worry, Ro. I’m a little sad about Nina too. I really liked her.” Cruz nods. “Yeah, Phil was good for you.”

“What the hell is Nina doing here, Wyn?” She twists her ponytail. “Oh, did I forget to mention that I asked her to meet me here to drop off some notes for my art history final? My mistake. I thought I told you. Didn’t I tell you?” “You know you didn’t tell me,” I cut out, pulling at the back of my neck. “I would’ve shaved.” “I specifically remember telling you to shave before we left.”

Lmao

“My shoulder’s healing fine, so I should be cleared for fighting soon.” Nina laughs, a real one, and dammit, if I weren’t thinking about throttling the guy, I’d want to make her laugh again.

“Stop, Ro. You’re not doing this right now. You need to get your shit together, and you need to figure out exactly what you want first. If that’s the League, you need to let Nina go, but if it’s her, you need to figure out what you’re doing with your contract.”

“You’re not going to think less of me if I don’t play hockey?” Her blue eyes turn gentle. “No, Rhode. You’re my big brother.” She lightly punches my good shoulder, snickering. “I’ll always think less of you.”

LMAO YI

“Me too. Though, your mom wasn’t too happy. You know what she did when I came back?” “What?” He laughs at the memory. “Threw a butter knife at me.” I chuckle, settling back into my chair with no intention of leaving. “Good for her.”

His eyes roam the art gallery, scanning everyone’s face before moving on to the next. He pauses when he sees a blonde woman, but when she turns her face, he moves on to the next person. I glare at his rigid back when suddenly, he straightens and spins around. Our eyes meet like they're connected by steel cables, unbreakable.

His lips meet my cheek, soft, light. Crushing. “Hello, beautiful.” He barely spares Noah a glance, so I gesture to him, slightly flustered. “Rhode, you remember Noah from my art class.” “There are other people here?” he asks, gaze searing mine. “All I see is you.”

“Shouldn’t you be with your date?” The venom seeping into my voice only makes that lonely dimple glint in Rhode’s cheek. “She’s not my date. She’s a fan. We were just talking, but you sound a little jealous, Nina. Are you?” “No,” I snap. “It’s fine. You can talk to whoever you want.” The dimple in his cheek deepens. “You’re such a bad liar.” “I’m not lying,” I lie.

“You’re right. I wouldn’t because this is important to you. So, why don’t you admit that you miss me as much as I miss you? Because I’m trying here, but this has been hell for me. I know we want different things, Nina, but I just want you. We can figure this out together.”

“What do you want me to do, Rhode? Quit my fellowship to be the partner of a hockey player?” A frown mars his face. “No, I’d never ask you for that, but I’ve been thinking a lot about my contract, and—” “You’re not giving up hockey for me, either. I won’t let you.” His brows rise. “You won’t let me? It’s my life.” “I know, and I care about your life.”

A really big moment. I think I might love her. No, I don’t think—I know. I thought love would be this big moment, but it stacked up from all these little things.